OCP heads to public hearing

One last chance for residents to weigh in April 16

Whistlerites have one last chance to weigh in on the Resort Municipality of Whistler's Official Community Plan (OCP) at a public hearing on April 16.

The public hearing will kick off at 6 p.m. at the Maury Young Arts Centre.

A copy of the proposed bylaw and relevant background documentation are available at the reception desk at Municipal Hall, 4325 Blackcomb Way, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday until April 16.

Written comments must be addressed to "Mayor and Council" and will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on April 16.

The OCP bylaw will come back to council for third and final reading at an upcoming council meeting, followed by ministerial review at the provincial level (including consultation with the Lil'wat and Squamish nations).

Official adoption of the bylaw is planned for later in 2019.

"There has been an incredible amount of time and thought put into Whistler's new OCP, both in public engagement and time by staff," said Mayor Jack Crompton, in a release.

"The desire to maintain a strong community identity and spirit was heard loud and clear during both phases of public consultation. I feel that the document coming before council on April 16 strongly represents that."

When adopted, the OCP will replace the 1993 version of the document, which Whistler has been operating under since the B.C. Supreme Court quashed a previous OCP update in 2014 (see Pique, June 12, 2014).

On March 12, council gave second reading to the OCP bylaw, which was revised slightly from the version seen at first reading to address comments from the Lil'wat Nation and Mountain Resorts Branch, and include minor policy revisions, updated definitions and other "housekeeping edits."